Melanoma survivor takes on MoonWalk Scotland

Claire McKim

Seven years ago Dawn spotted an inflamed freckle in her bellybutton which turned out to be a malignant melanoma.

Seven years ago Dawn Hunter spotted an inflamed freckle in her bellybutton which turned out to be a malignant melanoma.

Dawn Hunter dressed as a viking for Moonwalk Scotland

The diagnosis hit her hard, as she hadn’t even felt ill.

She has since had to have several other moles removed and has scars on her belly and all over her back.

In 2013 Dawn, 46, from Dunfermline decided to celebrate five years of being cancer free by undertaking a series of five challenges, and raising £5,000 for charity.

The MoonWalk Scotland was just one of these and at first she didn’t take it too seriously.

“It’s only walking” she told herself. She has since had to have two toenails removed as a result of not being ready and trained.

After her first experience she immediately signed up for the Three Land Challenge – completing three walking marathons – one in London, one in Edinburgh and one in Iceland.

She found the training transformed her body and her outlook on life – she had never been particularly active but now she is always out walking.

“Life’s too short to just sit around on the sofa,” she explains.

Before the MoonWalk, she was very self conscious about the scars on her back and the fact her bellybutton had been removed, and when she turned up for her first MoonWalk she wasn’t planning to take her hoodie off and show off her decorated bra.

“But when I saw all the other women there in their bras, suddenly it wasn’t an issue at all. It wasn’t about looking perfect, and I didn’t even think about my scars all night.”

Last Christmas she even wore a low-backed dress to a party without worrying about her visible scars. “My whole attitude to life has changed,” she added.